Kazakhstan strips former judge of monthly pension, first in its history

Kazakhstan’s Supreme Judicial Council has stripped a former judge, Moldabek Akhmetov, of his lifetime monthly pension and honorary status as a retired judge for the first time in Kazakhstan’s history.

The measure was taken following a conflict between Akhmetov and a court bailiff during the latter’s official duties, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

According to the Supreme Judicial Council, the bailiff’s demands triggered a negative reaction from the former judge.

During the dispute, Akhmetov reportedly made offensive remarks toward the bailiff.

When the bailiff attempted to record the incident on a mobile phone, the ex-judge snatched the device and smashed it on the floor in front of witnesses.

Following the incident, the bailiff filed a complaint with the judicial ethics commission of the Kyzylorda region. The commission concluded that the former judge’s actions constituted misconduct incompatible with judicial ethics standards.

As a result, Akhmetov lost his right to a lifetime monthly allowance of around 500,000 tenge (approx. $1023), as well as other guarantees and privileges provided under the Constitutional Law On the Judicial System and Status of Judges of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Akhmetov’s son, Alibek Akhmetov, currently heads the criminal panel of the Aktobe Regional Court.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov